Two Years of Horse Ownership!

Niall's today before the beginning of our ride!

I'm writing this a day early because I am working all day tomorrow and I don't know if I will have time but it will be two years tomorrow on the 29th that I will have officially owned Niall's! I was thankfully able to get up to the barn today and have an awesome ride as a little celebration. We started off working in the indoor arena doing the usual flat work and then we decided to go outside for the first time this year! Niall's was super excited as usual, so we did some "hill sprints" and some good long gallops which I think Niall's definitely appreciated! She was begging to run the entire time she was so excited to be outside, and then settled right down after her big run.  I can't believe it has been two years since I bought Niall's! If any of my readers have followed me all the way back from my YouTube days, you will know that I have been riding Niall's for a long time now (almost six years!) but she only officially became mine in April of 2012! We've gone through a lot of ups and downs, and worked very hard to get to where we are now. As much as you always wish for that big fancy imported warmblood, I do really love my sassy, super talented little Thoroughbred! 

Riding Outfits for Spring

Especially in Canada and the northern United States, spring is a time of mud, horse hair everywhere and that really awkward temperature in between warm and cold. With the constant temperature mood swings (especially here is southern Ontario) it can get hard to find something to wear to the barn that looks good, but is warm as well! Here are a few of my favourite outfit ideas for this tricky time of year, since who says Spring jackets and layering has to be colourless and frumpy?! Definitely not me. Of course all of these outfits would be paired with my Treadstep Donatello Field Boots, GPA Speed Air Evolution helmet and my Roeckl Chester gloves. 

This combination has to be one of my favourite and most used styles for riding and daily life. I love a good puffer vest over top a sweater or button down shirt (or both!). It is such a simple, put together look that takes almost no thinking whatsoever; it looks great with a pair of breeches, or some dark wash skinny jeans if you aren't heading out to ride. Vests are great when it's just a bit too hot for a full jacket, so when you get too warm it's east to pull right off! The pink vest adds a great pop of colour for spring, while the sweater remains a classic grey but with a fun twist of while polka dots! 
Vest: J Crew Factory | Sweater: Tommy Hilfiger | Shirt: Ralph Lauren | Breeches: Tailored Sportsman | Belt: Tory Leather  

This next outfit is a bit more simple, but still remains super fun with a pop of bright colour. With the usual tan breeches I added a fun light blue patterned belt, it has a mix of blues, pinks and greens which makes it perfect for spring. Keeping on the idea of bright colours, I chose a bright green polo shirt from US Polo Assn. The colour is so cute and fun, and the large polo pony logo on the front adds just that little extra. 
Shirt: US Polo Assn | Breeches: Tailored Sportsman | Belt: Unknown

For this look I decided to put the colour into the breeches (you have no idea how many compliments I've gotten on these things), along with that a thick quilted belt in a gorgeous grey/ purple colour. On top it's kept simple again with a staple grey v- neck sweater and a quarter zip fleece to throw on top incase it starts to get cold! 
Fleece: Old Navy | Sweater: Joe Fresh | Breeches: Tailored Sportsman | Belt: Tailored Sportsman
Hope you enjoyed, and got some inspiration for your spring riding wardrobe as well! 

Getting Inspired With Your Riding

As in any sport, in horse- back riding you go through periods where nothing seems to be going right, and your desire to get out of the house and go ride decreases by the day. We have all been there whether we want to admit it or not. And dealing with what once was (and sometimes still is) a hyperactive and egocentric Thoroughbred mare, I have gone through this stage of self- doubt way to many times to count. But thankfully, at least for me, I always seem to pull myself out stronger than before. Believe me, it does get better! Here are some of my ways to get out of that riding slump, get yourself back to looking forward to your time spent at the barn, and re- inspire yourself to improve your riding:

1. Switch Up Your Rides
If you find yourself dreading being stuck in the dark confinement of the indoor arena at night, try riding outside on a nice sunny day! This is of course difficult when it is winter, or especially if your job keeps you from riding during the day or on weekends, but believe me just that odd hack around the field on a sunny spring day can do wonders for your sanity. I used to always find myself dreading night rides during the school year, but in the summer I lived for being able to do some schooling during the daylight! I have no idea why, but it seemed to make me (and Niall's!) much happier!

2. Watch the Pro's 
This is my biggest form of personal equestrian inspiration. You can learn so much from watching the professionals do their thing, whether that is online through a live stream of a competition or going to watch a grand prix in person, seeing people that compete at the highest level I find truly inspiring. Don't just enjoy a good round of show jumping, but study their riding style.. what do they do that you could adapt that may help your effectiveness as a rider? How does their horse go? What are they doing right, compared to what are you doing wrong and need to fix? All these questions can be answered from watching experienced riders simply ride. And of course, I think there's that small desire in everyone to get to that high level, and watching it in person may spark that flame a little more!

3. Talk to Your Trainer 
This is an important one; in a sport where communication is key (between horse and your support team on the ground), being on the same page as your coach or trainer is a huge must. If you find yourself struggling with an aspect of riding, or you simply feel as everything is falling apart- arrange a time to have a short meeting with your trainer about these issues. If they truly care about you and your horse, they will be with you 110% to help, wether that be going back to the basics or maybe trying out a new bit. If your trainer doesn't know you want, and need, some extra help, ask them for some! Your improvement as a rider and horse person is what they are there to build in the first place!

4. Love the Sport 
Equestrianism is a physically and emotionally demanding sport, and when going through a rough patch you have to have that dedication to get though it, no matter how long that may take. Passion and dedication is the most important thing when taking that step towards moving out of that rough stage. If theres no passion, you wont be willing to stick with it. Simple. I've stuck through all the bad times in my riding career simply because I have a huge love for this sport and the horses. I love it, and that is what gets me through. Have a serious talk with yourself, or maybe even take a short brake to figure things out. If you start telling yourself you're crazy for wanting to quit, then you are- don't quit! In a sport that has as much ups and downs as ours, you need that drive. Passion is a necessity.